Jackson & Burke Railroad

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Switch Stands


I wanted some operating switchstands for my garden layout, but didn’t want to spend a lot of money acquiring them.  

Since I need more than ten of these, I wanted to come up with an easy design that required minimal bending.

It was a great idea.   They were very inexpensive, but just not suited to a ground level layout.   I stepped on them a LOT.


I started these on May 1, 2005 and an article was published in Garden Railways magazine in June 2007.  


I used 1/16” brass strips, 7/32” o.d. brass tube, .116” brass rod and some other parts to build a switchstand. My idea was to do very little bending.
I used 1/16” brass strips, 7/32” o.d. brass tube, .116” brass rod and some other parts to build a switchstand. My idea was to do very little bending.
Using my trusty Dremel, I cut a slot in the 1/2” wide base piece.
Using my trusty Dremel, I cut a slot in the 1/2” wide base piece.
The two strips slip into the slot, with the tubing sandwiched between them.
The two strips slip into the slot, with the tubing sandwiched between them.
A homebuilt jig holds the pieces in place to be soldered. I use a mini-torch to apply heat - and burn the jig.
A homebuilt jig holds the pieces in place to be soldered. I use a mini-torch to apply heat - and burn the jig.
A penny is soldered to the top, and the legs are soldered in place. Next, I drill a hole for the brass rod and cut slots in the penny.
A penny is soldered to the top, and the legs are soldered in place. Next, I drill a hole for the brass rod and cut slots in the penny.
I use a short piece of 1/32” brass strip bent around the rod to act as a base for the handle. It’s held in place with a small eye pin.
A circular brass piece is soldered to the brass rod and it’s ready for installation.
I use a short piece of 1/32” brass strip bent around the rod to act as a base for the handle. It’s held in place with a small eye pin.
A circular brass piece is soldered to the brass rod and it’s ready for installation.
I bend some spring wire to shape.
I bend some spring wire to shape.
The spring wire connects the switch stand to the throw bar of the switch.
The spring wire connects the switch stand to the throw bar of the switch.
Painted and installed.
Painted and installed.